Gearing Up for Back-to-School with Netflix

Summer's quickly winding down and the start of the school year is quickly approaching, if it hasn't done so already. (We welcomed our students back from Summer break two weeks ago, and other schools here in NYC are close behind us.)

But before you have one last hurrah and plan a boat-load of extracurricular after school activities for your littles, let's make sure that their minds are right and ready to go! With the help of Netflix.com, it's easier than ever to stream educational programs that'll help your kids get back into the swing of things. Here are a few faves to add to your back-to-school must watch list:

Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius
When gooey green aliens kidnap all the adults in Retroville, it's up to 11-year-old Jimmy Neutron to figure out a plan to rescue them. Funny, adventurous, and totally badass, this is not only a great way to get this kids geared up for back-to-school, but also a great way to get them to think creatively and outside the box.

How the States Got Their Shapes 
Brian Unger is the host of this clever road documentary series, which blends history, politics, and geography to show how America's states got their borders. It's super fun and educational, and a great show for kids interested in all things geography!

The Magic School Bus
Does this show ever go out of style?! Aiden and I have so many books in this series and we absolutely love them! All of them! The TV show just brings the books to life as wacky Ms. Fizzle takes her class to outer space, under the sea, through an anthill, and inside the human body in educational and fun adventures!

What are you streaming on Netflix to get your kids ready for the back-to-school season?!

{Disclaimer: As a member of the Netflix Stream Team Blogger Ambassador Program, this post is sponsored by Netflix. Thank you for supporting Mommy Delicious.}

{Personal Style} Loving on The Little Black Dress

dress and necklace: H&M maternity | shoes: Prabal Gurung for Target | ring: Aldo Accessories 

I've mastered the art of the little black dress, sans the baby bump. But every since Baby Delicious is making my bump more and more apparent, I've been trying to figure out how to rock this thing out in a fashionable way.

I've always loved the little black dress. It's sophisticated and sexy -- what's not to love?! I can were it to work or when I'm hanging out with friends, which is my kind of versatility.

I paired this dress with a few statement pieces for a stylish finish -- a bold necklace, an oversized ring, and colorfully funky heels (one of my favorite pieces in my closet!).

Both the growing bump and I give this dress two thumbs all the way up! Hope you all are having a great week.

Stay Stylish!

Persevering As A Student-Parent

It was three weeks before graduation and I had a 25-page paper due by 1 p.m. the next day for my Family As A Context For Child Development class. I absolutely loved this class and learned so much in it. But I was done. Overdone. And I was tired. Over tired. And I just wanted to graduate.

But first I'd have to get through this paper and a few other long assignments, presentations, and finals. That night, after I tucked Aiden in bed at 8 p.m., I cried. No scratch that. I sobbed. A lot. Uncontrollably.  The overwhelming workload and overall stress of being a student momma had gotten to me.

I did the only thing that I knew to do in order to keep my sanity when working out and eating well and staying hydrated with lots of water didn't work. I meditated.... on success and hard work and how far I'd come up until that point.

I graduated from Columbia University with a B.A. in Psychology in 2006 and was pretty well employed. But I decided to go to grad school because I wanted more. More opportunities. More career choices. More money. The things you can do with a Bachelor degree are great, but the things you can do with a Masters degree are phenomenal. At least that's what I thought. And still think.

When I applied for grad school, I made a commitment to Aiden and myself that I was going to see it through come heck or high water. I adopted a "whatever it takes" mentality, and believe you me, it took a lot. 

Head over to The Young Mommy Life to read the rest of this post, particularly how this busy single momma embraced the beauty of perseverance. 

This post was originally published on July 28, 2011. And it still gives me shivers every time I read it. Whew... I can't believe I did it. 

{Personal Style} Back-to-School, Maternity Edition

 dress: Target | blazer: H&M | shoes: Aldo | stacked bracelets and statement necklace: Stella&Dot

It's that time again -- back-to-school! After preparing all Summer long and leading professional development for all my wonderful teachers, the students are starting their very first day!

I'm pretty excited -- and not just because I know I'm gonna take some time off this year to spend with Baby Delicious. But, even with all its challenges and ups and downs, each school year is magical in its own way. And I feel very honored to be able to witness the magic every single day. It reminds me of why I do this work and why I continue to push so hard.

I've worn this outfit before. It was earlier in the Summer as I was just beginning to pop. I found the dress to be so comfortable and stylish. And I loved that the blazer made for a very polished and professional finish. As of now, I'm still able to wear my heels (thank goodness!) so, for a nice pop of color, I paired the outfit with my favorite suede pink peep-toe pumps, which has a platform for added support.

For the first day of school, I decided to rock this outfit once again. It's comfortable, sleek, stylish, and professional. And it totally says, "I'm ready to rock it out this year as a badass school leader, especially while preggo."

Right?!

Right.

Next up: getting Aiden ready for the start of school and an adventurous year as a second grader. Oh dear...

Have a great week! Stay stylish!

Baby Talk

Aiden's had a lot of questions and comments about Baby Delicious and his soon-to-be "big brother" status. Naturally. Some have been hilarious, some a little morbid, all pretty interesting. I've been trying to record them because they're too good not to remember.

Here's what I have so far:

Aiden: I'm gonna push your stomach all the way in to see if it goes down.
Me: Why?!
Aiden: Because... it used to be skinny last year!

Aiden: What should we name the baby?
Me: I want a name that starts with "A".
Aiden: The letter A? Okay. Allister. Or Alex. Yes, yes, yes... definitely Alex! Or Amy or Ally.
Me: Aiden... I'm still thinking of a name. I'll let you know when I have one, but I'll keep those in mind.

We. We?! Umm... we are not having a baby. I am having a baby and I will be picking a name for the baby. LOL.

Aiden: What are we gonna do when it's time for the baby to come out? How are we gonna get to the hospital?
Me: I dunno. What do you think we should do?
Aiden: Maybe just go downstairs and tell Mike (our building's doorman).
Me: We could take a taxi to the hospital. That's what I did when it was time for you to come out.
Aiden: But... but.. what if it really hurts and you're in a lot of pain?! What are we gonna do?!

Aiden: You know that everything you eat, the baby is eating too, right? Like there's a tube in your stomach that's connecting to the baby's stomach and all the food goes to the baby's tummy.
Me: How'd you learn that? Who taught you that?!
Aiden: *shrugs* I just know.

Aiden: Mommy, how does the doctor take the baby out of your stomach? Is there like a hole in your stomach or something?
Me: No. There's a hole in my vagina and the baby comes out through there.
Aiden: What?! But, like, how does the doctor fix it back afterwards?
Me: Fix my vagina?!
Aiden: Yeah.
Me: It just fixes itself. The female body is amazing like that.

Aiden: Is that salad good for the baby?
Me: Yes.
Aiden: Good. Then you should have the special sauce with it too.
Me: You mean, the Italian dressing? Okay.

Aiden: What happens to a mommy if a baby dies in the mommy's stomach?
Me: Well... I guess it depends. But the doctor will try to save the mommy after helping the mommy take the baby out.
Aiden: But... does the mommy die too?
Me: Hopefully not.
Aiden: I don't want you to die, mommy.

At which point I had to explain to him that both Baby Delicious and I are good and fit and healthy.

Aiden: Is that workout video for people with babies in their bellies?
Me: Why?
Aiden: Because that lady in the video has a fat tummy just like yours.

Aiden: If that baby is a girl, I'm gonna scream for my life! But if it's a boy, I won't scream.
Me: Why?
Aiden: Because... I need a boy to play with. I can't play with a girl.

Aiden: Ooh, ooh, ooh... I know what we should name the baby!
Me: What?
Aiden: Tootsie!
Me: Umm... let's keep thinking about it.

I think he's gonna be a great big brother.

{Personal Style} Truly Blue

dress, cardigan, necklace: H&M | sandals: Steve Madden | clutch, stacked rings: Aldo Accessories 

I've been feeling pretty casual these days, especially with warm summer NYC days and Baby Delicious roasting nicely. So when I found this comfy dress at H&M, I just had to buy it.

It's light-weight and flowy, and the bright color makes a bold statement -- totally my kind of dress! I've been pairing it with flats because... pregnancy. But, I find that it also goes really well with fun heals and a blazer (for work purposes).

The statement necklace, stacked bracelets, and funky cardigan makes for a very trendy preggo outfit. Wearing bright, bold colors is hands-down one of my favorite things about summer fashion so I'm totally in love with this outfit. The best part? This isn't even a maternity dress, which means that I can wear it after Baby Delicious makes a fashionable appearance. Score!

Way to make a fashion statement this summer!

Hope you all have a great week. Stay stylish!

Embracing Summer Adventures with Netflix

Summer is one of my favorite seasons because I get to spend more time with Aiden hanging out around the city, going to different events, and embracing adventures. Even on the hottest days. Heck, I don't shy away from hot days -- I embrace 'em. At a beach or pool with a cold lemonade or iced tea.

But on days when we don't head outdoors for one reason or another, we create adventures around the house. By making up games or playing UNO cards or watching videos. It's on these days that we can binge on Netflix and bring the adventures right into our living room.

The Netflix original series, Dragons: Race to the Edge introduces some of the most exciting dragons, each with its own abilities. (Think: shock waves, cannon balls, fire blasts, and more.) You'll recognize the characters Hiccup and Toothless from the critically acclaimed How to Train Your Dragon films and totally enjoy it because it's part Kung-Fu Panda, part Where the Wild Things Are.

National Treasure is another movie that bring the adventure to the small screen. In this flick, modern treasure hunters search for a chest of riches that are rumored to be stashed away by George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin. It's not only a way to embrace adventure, but it's also a way to possibly introduce fun American history.

Still looking for more adventures? If you've got a Marvel's lover on your hand, check out Marvel's Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H. Season 2. You can't go wrong with these guys and, while watching, you're sure to embark on an adventure. Or five.

What's your favorite family flick to watch when you're feeling adventurous?!

{Disclaimer: As a member of the Netflix Stream Team Blogger Ambassador Program, this post is sponsored by Netflix. Thank you for supporting Mommy Delicious.}